British Transport Films Collection Vol. 5: Off the Beaten Track

Synopsis: The fifth in the series of double DVD box sets of films from the BRITISH TRANSPORT FILMS COLLECTION. Following the post-war thirst for visual teaching and educational entertainment and the nationalisation of transport in 1948, the British Transport Commission set up its own in-house film production and distribution unit in 1949. Over a period of 37 years, until its closure in 1986, it made over 700 films promoting travel on Britain’s railways or providing technical instruction.

As well as depicting transport throughout the regions of Britain, the films now provide an invaluable record of life and customs in the 1950s and 60s. Of immense value as social history, some are also works of art.

This collection features Ocean Terminal (1961), Dodging the Column (1952), Link Span (1956), Every Valley (1957), Journey into Spring (1957), Between the Tides (1958), Giant Load (1958), They Take the High Road (1960), Wild Highlands (1961), Wild Wings (1965), An Artist Looks at Churches (1959), Railways Forever (1970), The Scene from Melbury House (1972), Age of Invention (1975) and Seaspeed Express (1980).
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 2007
Year of production: 1951-1980
Documentation: A booklet containing an introduction and film notes by BTF historian Steven Foxon accompanies the discs.
Subjects: History; Media studies
Keywords: British Transport Films; social history; transport; archive films

This record has been viewed 630 times.